Now that there has been sufficient time to reflect on all the music 2012 brought us, it’s time to debut my favorites from this past year. Adele’s album from 2011, 21, may have been the biggest selling album, again, but new artists like Of Monsters and Men, Imagine Dragons, and Frank Ocean made the future of music look even brighter. The electronic dance music scene continued to grow by leaps and bounds and even hip hop had albums from Kendrick Lamar and Macklemore that weren’t just about money and how many cars they have but had some substance. We finally got to hear new tracks from No Doubt, and Mumford and Sons’ sophomore album did not disappoint. So while you’re making your Best of 2012 playlist, you can also look forward to new music from Kid Cudi, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake in 2013.

Album of the YearEl Camino,The Black Keys
Runner Up: My Head is an Animal, Of Monsters and Men

Song of the Year“Get Free”, Major Lazer
Runner Up “Gold on the Ceiling” ,The Black Keys